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The DAISY Award: Congratulations Melanie Clauson, RN

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses: Congratulations Melanie Clauson, RN!

“Melanie Clauson repetitively goes above and beyond to ensure my mom receives the most appropriate care imaginable throughout her cancer journey. My mom came in for an outpatient lab. I popped into the oncology department to express my concerns. It was the end of the day and Melanie went above and beyond to advocate for getting additional labs ordered. She then knocked on the outpatient lab door to make sure the added labs were done. Then she spent time with her in the outpatient lab, saw how sick she was, and gently encouraged her to go to the ER. She didn’t stop there, she talked with the ED staff, stayed with her, and took the time to truly listen to her worries. The way she supported both of us through that moment meant the world to us. Her kindness, expertise, and genuine compassion brought us comfort when we needed it most. I know we are not the only recipients of her incredible care. All those Melanie Clauson cares for are beyond fortunate to have her world.” 

The DAISY Awards are a recognition program to celebrate and recognize nurses by collecting nominations from patients, families, and co-workers. It is run by hospital partners as a way to thank nurses for the care and kindness they provide. MDI Hospital is proud to work with the DAISY Awards to honor our nurses.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family.  Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System.)  The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

“I’m honored to present this award to Melanie as she is a testament to the kind of compassion and caring all of our Infusion Center patients and families receive.”
-Deborah Block, RN, Vice President of Nursing Services/CNO

You can learn more and nominate a nurse here: https://www.mdihospital.org/daisy-awards/ 

“It’s such a beautiful race,” she said. “The scenery is breathtaking, and the crowd energy is amazing. My mom has come up both years to cheer me on, which also makes it really special.” Whether she’s racing along the island’s winding roads or venturing into Acadia’s trails, Caitlin has found that being outdoors recharges her and deepens her appreciation for the intersection between health, resilience, and nature, a passion that has inspired her next step.

After residency completion this year, Caitlin is pursuing a fellowship in Wilderness Medicine, a field that perfectly blends her love for the outdoors with her dedication to emergency care. “Working at MDI Hospital has been an example of the merger between helping people in challenging environments and working closely in nature that I hope to experience during fellowship,” she said.

Reflecting on her time at MDI Hospital, Caitlin expressed deep gratitude for the people and experiences that have shaped her journey. “I plan to use the skills I have learned across my rotations at MDI Hospital going forward into my medical career so that I can provide great patient-centered care,” she said. “I will also remember the wonderful people I have met and cared for here who have helped shape my medical training to date.”

Whether running along the rugged coastline or responding to patients in the ED, Caitlin has found that MDI offers the perfect mix of challenge, inspiration, and community. It’s no surprise that for her, coming back to Mount Desert Island felt less like returning to a rotation, and more like coming home.

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MDI Hospital
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Bar Harbor, ME 04609
207.288.5081

At Mount Desert Island Hospital, we provide comprehensive care for you and your family through our hospital in Bar Harbor and a network of health centers across Mount Desert Island.